Chapter 103 - The Bronze Ring

Cassius narrowed his eyes slightly. "Hello."

"Hello." Violet's tone was so cold it practically froze.

The car door opened, and Cassius sat inside, folding his arms across his chest. From time to time, his eyes flicked to Violet in the front passenger seat. He wasn't looking at her because of her graceful figure or beauty, but because he could sense the killing intent emanating from her.

This killing intent wasn't directed at him, but was a natural aura formed over many years. Subtle though it may be, it couldn't escape Cassius's heightened senses.

Violet wasn't Matthew's mistress or secretary; she was his bodyguard. She must be associated with the Ace of Spades.

Duststorm's previous assassination attempt on Phil had failed because Cassius had been there. They likely wouldn't give up so easily, and their operations against Connan Company were probably still ongoing. Ace of Spades probably sent this woman, codenamed Violet, to protect Connan Company's general manager, Matthew.

The car started and soon pulled into the broad street, heading straight towards the central district where the City Museum was. The drive was uneventful, and after about ten minutes, they arrived.

Cassius got out of the car, shielding his eyes from the sun as he looked around. They were in a gray-white rectangular plaza that had circular flower beds with flowers and shrubs blooming in them decorated the edges. Lampposts illuminated nearby. A circular white stone fountain was planted right in the center of the plaza, the tiles glistening in the sunlight. The fountain's centerpiece was a five to six-meter-tall bronze statue of Baichuan City's first mayor. Citizens, seated on the black benches nearby, were either sunbathing and chatting or feeding pigeons with bread crumbs.

Bang. Bang.

The car doors closed and Matthew and Violet also got out.

The pair seemed like a couple with one looking elegantly handsome, and the other exuding a refined beauty. Cassius, on the other hand, looked like a bodyguard.

"Let's go inside and take a look," Matthew said as he pulled a black invitation trimmed in gold from his pocket.

As they started walking, a security guard in a blue uniform approached. Upon spotting the invitation in Matthew's hand, he quickened his steps. Once he confirmed their identities, he assured them he would have his men guard their car to prevent any damage. The security guard then respectfully watched them leave.

This wasn't just an antique exhibition; this was a high society gathering. With even the museum security showing such enthusiasm, the White Rose company had probably promised some substantial benefits.

After walking along the white stone path and taking a few turns, they arrived at a large, imposing museum with large glass panes on the sides. A blue carpet stretched from the entrance all the way inside. There were about twenty security guards in blue uniforms patrolling the area. Some carried rubber batons.

"Matthew!"

"Avril?"

"Long time no see!"

"Likewise!"

A young man in a suit standing near the entrance came closer, also holding a black invitation to the antique exhibition. He seemed to be a friend of Matthew's.

"Didn't you go to East Sea County with your father for business? When did you come back?" Matthew asked. He was also quite happy to see him.

"The rubber business over there isn't doing so well so my dad stayed to manage the branch, and I came back to handle the main company's affairs in Beiliu County. I've been so busy lately that I haven't had time to catch up with you. I finally found some time to attend today's White Rose Antique Exhibition. Who would've thought I'd run into you?" Avril said with a smile.

"Perfect timing, let's go together." Matthew smiled.

They were clearly more than just ordinary friends. With how close they were, they were probably childhood friends.

"And these two are?" Avril glanced at Violet and Cassius.

"Oh, they're here to see the antique exhibition." Matthew introduced, "These are my friends. This is Violet, and that's Li Wei."

The four of them chatted at the entrance for another three to four minutes before heading into the museum. After having their invitations checked, they entered the exhibition hall without any trouble.

The museum's interior was spacious. The White Rose Antique Company had coordinated with the museum, temporarily renting the west exhibition hall for their themed antique exhibition. It had cost a hefty sum, but they had money and, above all, they wanted to make a grand impression.

Baichuan City Museum had the best location, the largest area, and the most comprehensive facilities. The White Rose Antique Exhibition had to be held here in order to maintain its prestige and attract high society attendees.

"Mr. Matthew!"

"Matthew's here?"

As soon as they entered the exhibition hall, numerous pairs of eyes gravitated toward them. Connan Company was a big business in Baichuan City, making impressive profits from the liquor trade.

Naturally, Matthew had a high status. He immediately put on a perfect smile and walked over gracefully. Avril and Violet followed him, leaving Cassius to stand alone.

Matthew had already told him that he was here to network and that Cassius was free to explore on his own for now. Matthew would inquire with the organizers about the items on display after the morning exhibition, because generally, they weren't up for sale until later; otherwise, the high society guests would have nothing to look at.

Cassius took a moment to survey the hall. The museum's layout was indeed expansive. The main hall where he stood was supported by large marble columns. Tall display counters, each covered by a glass case showcasing an exhibit, was spread out over the gray-black floor. He could tell at a glance that there were at least hundreds of items in the main hall alone.

There were also many side halls, each with a specific theme, such as oil paintings or porcelain vases. It looked like the White Rose Antique Company's collection surpassed the museum's. No wonder it boasted such prominence.

Cassius quickly moved to the side and walked along the wall. About ten meters ahead, a pretty girl in a black dress with a metal nameplate on her chest was in the midst of explaining the story behind the glass-encased exhibit to a small group.

"Excuse me, miss, is there an exhibition area for ancient coins?"

"I'm sorry, sir, we don't have a dedicated area for those. The coin exhibits are mixed in with the statues and landscape paintings and are in a single hall. If you want to see them, it's the third side hall ahead," the girl said, smiling politely.

"Thank you." Cassius immediately headed toward his destination.

He quickly entered a side hall, where landscape paintings adorned the walls. Below each painting hung a small plaque detailing the artist's background and the price. Various artifacts encased in glass were displayed in front of these paintings. As he strolled around, Cassius examined each exhibit closely until he found what he was looking for: a rectangular display next to a marble pillar, showcasing antique coins neatly arranged under the glass.

Sunlight shone on it, highlighting the embossed crown emblem with a tilted cross above it on the coin's surface. Another coin lay face down beside it, displaying the number fifty.

This was it. The Cross of Crown Star. One hundred and fifty years ago, the Duchy of Lante in northern Hongli Federation erupted in a bloody revolution. Emperor Wally the Fourth was guillotined, and the spectators threw coins stained with blood. The description beside the display matched what the old man had told him.

Cassius first glanced at the exhibit and then at the few people in the hall, who were engrossed in the paintings on the walls. No one was paying any attention to him.

He lightly tapped the base of the glass case. It made a muffled thud.

His finger had acted like a bullet, breaking a tiny gap between the glass and the base. A bitter airflow began flowing out, and Cassius's eyes lit up. He withdrew his hand quietly.

Unfortunately, the glass case was tightly secured to the base. To open it, he would need to remove the entire case. Otherwise, he would have absorbed the lingering energy from the Cross of Crown Star first, and then considered purchasing the coin.

Once he was sure no one was watching him, Cassius repeated his method on the other displays. His precise control allowed him to drill small holes in the adhesive without disturbing the glass surface.

The operation was quiet and discreet. In just five to six minutes, he had examined all the displays in the side hall. However, none of the artifacts contained lingering attachment energy. Cassius turned his attention to the other side halls.

Certain that his actions would fly under the radar, he continued his search. There weren't any cameras, and no one seemed to take notice of his movements. Even if they did, all they would see was him touching the edge of the glass cases, and not tampering with the artifacts themselves.

With renewed confidence, his movements became quicker. Highly efficient, he searched five side halls in short order but still found nothing.

Cassius felt a bit frustrated. This expansive White Rose Antique Exhibition had only given him one item with lingering attachment energy, the Cross of Crown Star. Would searching for such artifacts in the future be like finding a needle in a haystack? Would he have to rely entirely on luck?

Despite his frustration, he pressed on. Finally, in the second to last hall, hall number nine, he felt a faint tremor.

He clicked his tongue and looked down to see a crude bronze ring in the display. Hideous though it may be, the bitter taste in his mouth confirmed this was an antique with lingering attachment energy!

Taking a deep breath, Cassius noted the location before moving to the last hall. Five minutes later, he returned to the main hall.

Elegantly dressed socialites wandered about the cavernous room, chatting and sipping hot tea. There were also groups of handsome young men and women dressed in stylish clothing strolling around and examining the exhibits.

The only ones who looked like actual collectors were about the dozen balding middle-aged or elderly gentlemen. Wearing casual light yellow shirts and reading glasses, they moved from display to display, their focus trained entirely on the artifacts.

Cassius mimicked them and started from one corner of the hall before gradually moving to other areas. With his hunched posture, he was practically screaming to onlookers that he was someone taciturn and antisocial.

People, still in the midst of their conversations, naturally stepped aside when he approached and scrutinized the displays. Cassius would quickly tap the edges of the cases, the soft sound allowing him to determine authenticity in seconds.

Because the main hall had more exhibits and people, Cassius was exceedingly cautious. He acted nonchalant, waiting for the moment when no one was watching before quickly bending down to check. It took him half an hour to complete his search.

This entire White Rose Antique Exhibition isn't even as good as the artifacts on Duststorm’s transport trucks,

Cassius thought, somewhat sardonically.

Only two items with lingering attachment energy turned up in this round of searching. One was the Crown Star Coin he had already identified, and the other was the bronze ring in hall nine. While it was something, the overall yield was uncertain because it all depended on just how authentic the Crown Star Coins were. Out of more than a hundred coins, who knew how many contained lingering attachment energy?

If it was like last time, a single authentic Crown Star Coin held about 0.2 units of lingering attachment energy which was equivalent to half a regular legendary antique. Hopefully, there would be more this time...

As he was lost in thought, a commotion broke out nearby.

"That damn bitch slapped me?! Get her!" A young man with black hair furiously clutched his left cheek, a red handprint clearly visible.

A tall and cold figure stood opposite him. It was Matthew's bodyguard Violet, the woman with the teardrop-shaped mole at the corner of her eye. It was indeed quite a striking feature because that was all Cassius could remember of her face.

Without hesitation, one of the young man’s bodyguards from several meters away charged at Violet. His powerful fist was aimed right for her chest.

Oh? This guy knows some combat moves,

Cassius noted as he walked over, narrowing his eyes.

Violet stepped back, sidestepping the punch quickly. Her long, toned leg swung up, delivering a swift kick to the bodyguard’s waist.

She knows some combat techniques too, but she's not very advanced, probably around Combat Arts level three,

Cassius thought as he casually approached.

Seeing as how the Ace of Spades wouldn't have such weak bodyguards, she must be more adept with firearms.

Meanwhile, two more bodyguards rushed over, joining the first. All three seemed to be around Combat Arts levels two or three. Violet was trapped.

Damn it, I couldn't bring my gun inside. This isn't good...

Violet narrowed her eyes, heart sinking.

Suddenly, a tall figure pushed through the crowd, forcing his way in. "Make way," he commanded.